Teachers' strike: Full list of Nottinghamshire schools which will close
Notts County FC Football in the Community help overweight men lose more than 260 stone with Motivate programme
With the World Cup almost at an end overweight gents are being urged to get off the sofa and out of the pub to lose the extra pounds.
Notts County FC Football in the Community's Motivate programme has helped Nottingham men lose nearly 268 stone in the last three years.
The free 36 week programme has seen 650 men shift their excess weight already - but with an estimated 37,000 obese men still in the city the charity are looking for more people to sign up.
Performance development manager of the "Tackling Male Obesity Campaign" Emma Trent says the programme isn't about fad diets but setting "smart goals".
She said: "We understand that this hasn't been the best time for healthy living.
"With the football on lots of people will have been down the pub drinking or staying in and watching the TV.
"So now the football is drawing to an end it's the perfect time to start a new healthy lifestyle and be inspired to do better than England did this summer."
The programme invites men to attend a 90 minute class once a week, which includes nutrition advice and group exercise.
Ms Trent said: "We are trying to educate people about nutrition so they can make informed decisions.
"So we talk about portion sizes, because a lot of people don't know what a portion size for one person is - it is not a mound of pasta piled high up on a massive plate - as well as talking about takeaways, eating out and empty calories.
"Drinking alcohol is a big one for a lot of men. Many don't realise the calories in a pint are the same as eating a bag of crisps but there is no nutritional value so you still need to eat food on top of drinking. This significantly increases calorie intake."
In the first 12 weeks a target is set of losing three per cent body weight if this is successful men are invited to come back for another 12 weeks and then another.
To be eligible for the free classes men must live in Nottingham city, or be registered to a city GP, be over 18 years of age and have a BMI of 30 or more.
Stuart Dunn, 69, of Bestwood, lost six stone on the programme in nine months, he said: "I was 21 stone when I started. I was walking past a shop window and just happened to see my reflection, and I thought 'no that can't be me' and it was.
"I'm not getting any younger and I thought I'd end up having a heart attack.
"The exercise has helped a lot, I probably wouldn't do it if I wasn't doing Motivate, and in fact I wouldn't do it.
"My diabetes has improved since losing weight, I've come down on some on me tablets and when I get reviewed next I expect I'll drop a few more.
"I get phone calls from the NHS and they tell me I'm not obese anymore and they're happy with my progress."
The sessions take place four times a week at Southglade Leisure Centre on Mondays, from 10am until 11.30am, at the
Portland Centre on Tuesdays from 5.30pm to 7pm,
Hadden Park - now Bluecoat Beechdale Academy - on Thursdays 5.30pm until 7pm and Clifton Leisure Centre on Saturdays from 10am to 11.30am.
Senior manager Tim Hatton said: "There are 37,000 obese men in Nottingham, so we are only starting to scratch the surface.
"Motivate has proven that it can have a significant impact on weight management locally through the impressive results we've achieved already.
"We would like to see many more men register to take part and want them to call the Motivate team.
"They'll feel much better very soon."
Anyone wishing to get involved should call: 0115 9055896 or visit: www.nottscountyfitc.org.uk/motivate
Have you had a lifestyle overhaul? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
Ruddington school kids to learn about Uganda with help of travelling teddy bear
School kids will be learning about the lives of children in Uganda thanks to an intrepid travelling bear.
Pupils at James Peacock Infant and Nursery School, in Manor Park, Ruddington, will be following the adventures of "Ruddy" the teddy bear as he makes his way from the Notts village to Africa.
The bear, which was specially made by the Ruddington WI to mark their 100 year anniversary, will embark on his journey to the Vineyard School in Uganda on Saturday September 27.
This departure will coincide with the end of the school's second annual community day - Ruddstock - which will include a fancy dress parade, face paints and live music.
Class teacher and organiser Sally Squires said: "I'm really proud to be part of this exciting project and I'm overwhelmed by all of the support we've had already from local businesses and organisations.
"By bringing together the community we are celebrating each other's interests, talents and cultures.
"This event and our links with the Vineyard School in Uganda help to teach the children that they and their school are part of a vibrant community and an exciting wider world.
"Promoting this message in such an exciting way helps the children develop an understanding of their place in society and prepares them for life in an increasingly diverse world."
In the run-up to Ruddstock Ruddy will be completing a week-long tour of the village including the vets and post office.
James Peacock pupil, Ella Watson, 5, said: "Ruddy is going on an adventure to places in Ruddington and he will be leaving foot prints where goes which we can find and take pictures of.
"Then he is going to go on a bus and then to the airport and the Uganda."
The Heritage Centre in Ruddington are providing a vintage open top bus to send the bear on his travels, along with a few specially chosen children and their families who will be travelling around the village with him on the bus before he catches his plane.
The children will be learning a special Ugandan song to sing to him as he leaves.
The event is part of the work James Peacock School do towards the Stephen Lawrence Standard for Equality.
This national award was set up to help banish racism and to promote equality and respect.
Pupil Alice Rogers, 5, said: "We have learnt that if we were all the same it wouldn't be good, it is good that we are all different."
You can follow Ruddy's blog at www.jamespeacock.org.uk
Are you organising a community event? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
Public sector strike: Full list of city services which will close
On Thursday, July 10, members of the the public sector will take part in industrial action across the county which will see dozens of schools and services close.
The strike has been sparked by disputes relating to pay and work conditions.
Listed below are the Nottingham children's centres who have so far notified the City Council of their closure or part-closure. This list may be subject to change. For a definitive update, contact Nottingham City Council.
Children's Centres
Bulwell Children's Centre | Closed to public Nursery unaffected |
Bulwell Forest Children' Centre | Closed |
Forest Fields Play Centre | Closed |
Hyson Green Youth Club | Closed |
Dunkirk Children's Centre | Closed |
Glenbrook Management Centre | Open 8.15 -4.30 |
St Ann's North | Closed |
St Ann's South | Closed |
Meadows Youth Session | Closed |
Garden Street Centre | Closed |
Clock tower Bulwell | Closed |
Public sector strike: Full list of county services which will close
On Thursday, July 10, members of the public sector will take part in industrial action across the county which will see dozens of schools close.
The strike has been sparked by disputes relating to pay and work conditions.
Listed below are the county services which are expected to close This list may be subject to change. For a definitive update, contact Nottinghamshire County Council.
Public services which are expected be closed on Thursday, July 10
Libraries
- Arnold
- Eastwood
- Lowdham
- Misterton
Day services
- Ashfield
- Ollerton
Children's Centres
Woman charged with GBH following Newark stabbing
A woman has been charged with GBH following a stabbing in Newark.
A 52-year-old woman will appear before Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning.
Police were called to a house in Nelson Road, Newark, just before 10.15pm on Sunday.
The 52-year-old victim was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Birmingham Bears v Notts Outlaws: T20 match report
NOTTS Outlaws moved a step closer to a place in the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast with a six-run win away to Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston.
Against what is essentially Warwickshire with a re-branded name, it was revenge for the defeat in the County Championship last week that dented Notts' Division One title hopes in that competition.
Mick Newell's men lost the toss and batted first and lost Alex Hales early, run out to a direct hit.
But his latest opening partner Steven Mullaney (pictured) cashed in during the powerplay in some style and off the fourth over from Chris Wight went on an incredible sequence of hitting six, four, six, four for 20 runs in four balls.
But he then went for 36 off 14 balls when top edging to the man in the covers before Samit Patel went soon after when chipping a simple catch to mid-on.
The visitors were 60 for three at the end of six overs and then Riki Wessels' cameo of 29 off 13 balls came to an end when he was caught behind off spinner Jeetan Patel.
Skipper James Taylor's innings begun more sedately, scoring 11 off 29 balls, but he then hit three sixes in a row in the 14th over from Boyd Rankin with pace now back on the ball.
But another flurry of wickets slowed down Notts as James Franklin (12) was caught at long-off, before Chris Read was caught at the second attempt by the wicket-keeper and then Sam Wood went to the very next ball bowled by Jeetan Patel, 126 for seven.
Taylor eventually went in the last over for 44, from 47 balls, before Luke Fletcher came in and smashed a big six only to get out next ball when caught at mid-wicket as Outlaws reached 158 for nine from 20 overs.
In reply, Harry Gurney and Fletcher led the way again – just like they had in the home win over Yorkshire recently.
But after a tight opening three overs, the Bears then went after Ajmal Shahzad to get the scoreboard ticking.
Mullaney then had a howler and a moment of magic in quick succession. He dropped a simple chance from William Porterfield off Shahzad but made up for it later in the over when pulling off a stunning one-handed catch above his head to remove Varun Copra, 51-1 after six overs.
Samit Patel then bowled Jonathon Webb in the next over but the hosts steadied things to reach 70 for two at halfway.
Rikki Clarke then hit a big six and a four off Patel before he too was bowled by the Notts spinner, 80-3.
The dangerous Irishman Porterfield then reached his half century in 40 balls before finding Franklin in the deep off Mullaney soon after.
The Bears needed 51 off five overs but lost Laurie Evans to a superb Read stumping and it was then 31 needed off three overs as Freddie Coleman threatened to win it.
But the penultimate over from Gurney went for only six, as did the last over from Fletcher – when they had needed 13 to win – and this included the wicket of Javid, caught superbly at the mid-wicket boundary by Wood, as the hosts fell shy on 152 for six at Edgbaston.
World Cup 2014: Hosts Brazil thrashed by Germany in semi-final
Nottingham Forest will look to utilise loan market – but will have to be patient, says boss Pearce
NOTTINGHAM Forest will look to utilise the loan market in their quest to build a squad capable of sustaining a promotion challenge.
But Stuart Pearce says the Reds will have to be patient when looking to prise the best young talent away from Premier League clubs.
David Vaughan, Danny Fox and Jack Hobbs all made a positive impact after joining the club on loan last season – with the trio all becoming permanent signings subsequently.
Highly-rated young midfielder Nate Chalobah also arrived on loan from Chelsea and, as former manager of the England under-21 side, Pearce has a good knowledge of the best young players in the top flight.
And he plans to utilise that by securing a few high quality loan additions for the coming campaign.
"The loan system will help us out. But Premier League teams will not make decisions on loans until they have had a good look at their players this summer," said Pearce. "We hope there will be a bit of movement on that front towards the start of the season. I think clubs don't commit just yet."
"You can register your interest in this player or that player, but they won't commit, yet, to where he is going to go.
"That, to some extent, will be down to the player and where he wants to go."
Pearce believes the City Ground will be a good place for young players to learn their trade next season – and hopes to persuade a few top flight managers that this is the case in the next month or two.
"We hope to bring in a couple of young players who we can help to educate," he adds.
"Hopefully clubs will look at us and say 'you know what, this is the kind of club we want to send our young players to'.
"I personally would not like to loan a player, to bring him to the club, if he is just going to sit around. He has got to play.
"We have to think he is good enough to come in and help us stage an assault on getting into the Premier League."
Firefighters to join teachers for another day of industrial action across Nottinghamshire
PARENTS are divided over public sector strikes that will see schools across the county close tomorrow.
Members of the National Union of Teachers, the Fire Brigades Union, Unite, GMB and Unison across the county are all participating in action.
Firefighters will also be manning picket lines and a number of public services including libraries will close.
The latest round of industrial action has been sparked by ongoing concerns over pay, pensions and working conditions in the public sector.
NUT members are set to walk out, leaving schools to decide whether to stay open, partially close or close completely.
Parents like mum Tee Baumber, 37, Carlton said her daughter's school would be facing partial closure.
She said: "It's a shame they can't find another way in which children and the parents won't be affected.
"A lot of parents will be left in a position where they need to find alternative childcare. I do understand the teachers though."
Jane Barton, 45, of Lowdham, has arranged to work from home so she can look after daughter Molly, 12, who will be off on Thursday.
She said: "It has been a nuisance, it's the third lot of strikes since she started secondary school. It's an easy option when you're in the public sector to strike but I don't think it gets you a lot of brownie points."
However, Laura Kelby, 34, from Clifton whose son Christopher, 9, attends a school for special needs which will also be closed, felt the teachers were justified.
She added: "I don't blame them, especially the ones who teach my son; they have to work extra hard.
"If it's what they need to do to get what want they should do it."
Assistant Secretary of the Nottingham City National Union of Teachers Association, Susi Artis, said most parents she had spoken to supported the strike.
She added: "Over the last few months we've had stalls in Old Market Square, West Bridgford and Sherwood asking parents to sign our petition for change and I'd say 99.9 per cent have been extremely sympathetic.
"I think one or two parents get quite grumpy about strikes and I quite understand that but we're all fighting for the bigger picture – for the future of our schools."
A Department for Education spokesman said: "There is no justification for further strikes.
"Further strike action will only disrupt parents' lives, hold back children's education and damage the reputation of the profession."
The Nottinghamshire Fire Brigades Union will strike from 10am-7pm.
Nottinghamshire Chief Fire Officer John Buckley said: "I ask that people do all they can to help keep the number of incidents to a minimum and only call 999 in a genuine emergency."
Do you agree with the unions? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
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Mansfield Town sign Birmingham City defender Amari'i Bell on loan
MANSFIELD Town have signed left-back Amari'i Bell on a six-month youth loan from Birmingham City.
The 20-year-old trained with the Stags for the first time this morning and is eligible to stay at the One Call Stadium until Saturday, January 3.
"I'm happy to be here and I can't wait to get started," said the defender. "I like to have the ball and pass it, but if the gaffer plays a different ways then I can easily adapt to that."
Bell spent time on loan at Nuneaton Town and Kidderminster Harriers last season and made his Football League debut for his parent club in January 2014.
He is well-known to first team coach Micky Moore, who coached him at Solihull and then signed him on loan at Nuneaton.
"I've worked with Micky at Solihull Moors, Nuneaton Town and now here and I'm happy to be working with him again. This is a good league club and as a young player it's what I need," said Bell.
"The main thing [about the move] is experience and I need some Football League games under my belt."
Ellie Downie in Team GB gymnastics squad for Youth Olympic Games
ELLIE Downie is targeting a spot on the podium after being named in the Team GB gymnastics squad for next month's Youth Olympics.
The Nottingham teenager is one of four gymnasts called up to compete in Nanjing, China from August 16-28.
And she heads there in fine form following her medal haul at the European Championships earlier this year, which included gold on the vault.
"I'm just coming off the back of a really good European Championships so my preparation for Nanjing has been great," said the 15-year-old.
"I'm really looking forward to getting out there and competing for Team GB, and I know if I perform to the level I know I can, I'm capable of pushing for a medal spot.
"Nanjing 2014 is set to be a great Games and I'm really excited about being part of a big multi-sport event in an Olympic environment."
Team leader, and Downie's coach, Claire Starkey hopes the Games will provide a valuable learning experience for the young athletes, particularly with the 2016 Rio Olympics in mind.
"We're all really looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the multi-sport event," she said.
"It's going to be fantastic for these juniors to experience what it will be like if they make it to Rio and beyond, so it's a perfect opportunity for everyone to get a lot out of it from performance right through to village life.
"We are also there to compete though, so it'll be good to see where we are in terms of the other athletes and try to learn from them and improve ourselves."
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Nottinghamshire culinary stars make top 100 list of National Restaurant Awards
CHEF Tom Sellers' huge appetite for success has seen him open a restaurant, win a Michelin star, appear on TV and rocket in popularity in a whirlwind 15 months.
And that's just for starters for the young rising star from Notts who has taken the London restaurant scene by storm.
His food at Restaurant Story has been lauded by customers and chefs alike and every table for dinner is fully booked until the end of the year.
Now it has been named one of the top 100 restaurants in the UK. Story was also the highest climber in the prestigious National Restaurant Awards 2014, voted for by industry experts, leaping an impressive 69 places to 26th.
The 27-year-old, who grew up in East Leake and earned his first Michelin star within five months of opening last year, said: "It's a huge achievement. I'm really happy for all the team – it's a mark of their hard work and dedication."
Tom, who gained invaluable experience when he worked in the world's best restaurant Noma, takes diners on a nostalgic journey through bold British flavours at the restaurant in Bermondsey.
His £60 six course and £80 ten course tasting menus feature dishes such as bread and dripping with a modern twist; crab, smoked leek, rapeseed, pear and lovage and hay, prune and cereal.
His rising reputation has seen him break into television, competing on BBC2's Great British Menu to have a dish at a banquet in St Paul's Cathedral marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
But despite being the joint winner in his heat, he had to drop out during the final after being taken ill. "It was frustrating. I was behind the set on the day of the dessert and the doctors wouldn't let me film," he said.
"Everyone's feedback from my appearance on there has been so positive."
Tom has already been approached about next year's competition but he's got a lot on his plate over the next 12 months.
Other proposals include other sites, a book and something involving a Nottingham sporting champion.
He said: "The last three weekends I've been in Nottingham with certain agents. There is lots happening and that's good for Nottingham hopefully."
Later this month television cameras will be filming Tom and the restaurant for an hour-long programme to be screened on Channel 4 later this year.
"It's become part and parcel of what I do now. I think the thing is it doesn't really faze me," said Tom about TV work.
"Food is so fashionable at the moment. Luck seems to have it that I came into this industry on my own when it was at its peak and I'm riding that wave a little bit. I feel blessed to be in the position I'm in.
"Me and my team work extremely hard. We're growing as a company, as a restaurant and a team month on month.
"You're only as big as you dare to dream. My goal was to open a restaurant and the ambition I had for that restaurant was huge and I believe we can definitely make a noise in the restaurant world."
Tom, who was expelled from school after his GCSEs and found work as a pot washer in a local pub, added: "For me it's how do we make this year better than last year? We set a huge precedent last year 'we've arrived, we're here, we mean business' and now it's about taking it to the next level.
"You know you're in a good position when you say no to a lot more than we say yes to at the moment."
* Nottingham's two star Michelin starred Restaurant Sat Bains slipped five places to 11th in this year's National Restaurant Awards.
But Sat is still happy with his position.
"It's different each year. We were number three once, number five, number six. You're going to be up and down and as long as we're still at the top end, that's all that matters."
Sat was one of judges for the awards and had to vote for his favourite top five restaurants. His number one choice was Mayfair Indian restaurant Gymkhana – the actual winner.
"It's fantastic food. I've eaten there three times. It's incredible flavours."
Restaurant Sat Bains finished ahead of Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir, Michel Roux Jnr's La Gavroche, The River Cafe and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay.